Sometimes, while trying to open an app using Remote Desktop from a different Windows 10 system, the following error message appears – Sorry, the version of OpenGL is too low, please upgrade the graphics driver. This is especially seen with CLO app (a 3D garment simulation program) when someone tries to access 3D Tools. If you too are experiencing the same problem while opening an app using Remote Desktop from a different system then, this tutorial will help you find a fix for it.
OpenGL is a shorthand for Open Graphics Library. It is mainly used for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics via graphics processor unit interactions.
The version of OpenGL is too low
Remote Desktop Protocol and its performance has been improved since Windows v1909 by replacing host GPU with a lighter version. This change is in attempt to save network bandwidth when the remote session is established. Nevertheless, if you are experiencing some issues, check if your Windows 10 build can revert or undo the change via Local Group Policy. For this,
- Launch Local Group Policy Editor.
- Choose Computer Configuration.
- Locate Administrative Templates.
- Expand it and select Windows Components.
- Go to Remote Desktop Services.
- Select Remote Desktop Session Host.
- Expand Remote Session Environment.
- In the right pane, Enable two Policies
- For Windows 10 Pro v1909, disable Use WDDM graphics display driver for Remote Desktop Connection.
The problem mainly arises due to Remote Desktop Protocol working. It creates a virtualized Desktop version of the host machine that only uses software OpenGL which doesn’t necessarily use the same extensions required when running in hardware mode. So, RDP starts sending out 2D bitmap images from the host to the remote client.
Launch Local Group Policy Editor. Press Win+R in combination to open the ‘Run’ dialog box.
In the empty field of the box, type ‘gpedit.msc’ and press ‘Enter’.
When the Group Policy Editor window opens, go to ‘Computer Configuration’ and choose ‘Administrative Templates’ folder under it.
Next, select ‘Windows Components’ folder. Expand the folder to navigate to ‘Remote Desktop Services’.
Here, select ‘Remote Desktop Session Host’ and expand ‘Remote Session Environment’ folder under it.
Now, switch to the right pane, and enable the following Policies:
- Enable H.264/AVC 444 Graphics mode for Remote Desktop connections.
- Enable H.264/AVC hardware encoding for Remote Desktop Connections.
If you are using Windows 10 pro v1909, disable ‘Use WDDM graphics display driver for Remote Desktop Connection’. For this, double the option, select ‘Disable’.
Press the ‘Apply’ button.
Hereafter, you should not see ‘OpenGL is too low’ error message in Windows 10.
